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“Yeah.”
“I’ll pick you up at nine thirty.”
I blow out a breath. “All right. Thanks, man.”
He claps me on the shoulder. “We’ll get you the girl, don’t worry.” He opens the door and goes out.
I watch him walk down the corridor, feeling an odd sense of relief to have his support. I’m going to need it.
*
Saturday, 9.40 a.m.
Jamie pulls up in Federal Street, just down from the Sky Tower, and parks the car.
“Ready?” Mack says to me as Jamie turns off the engine.
I look across at him. I’m in a cold sweat, and I’m trembling. “Yep,” I say. “Can’t wait.”
His brows draw together, and he exchanges a look with Jamie. “You got a minute?” he asks him. When Jamie nods, he adds, “Can you come with us?”
“Sure.”
“Come on then.” Mack and Jamie get out of the car.
I open the back passenger door and swing my legs around, then sit there for a moment, elbows on my knees, head bowed. I’m not sure my legs will hold me up. Jesus, I really didn’t think this through. I’m not going to be able to go through with it.
Mack’s legs appear in front of me. Then he bends forward and puts a hand on my back. “Deep breaths.”
“I need a minute.”
“I can see Elizabeth.”
“Fuck.” I close my eyes for a moment. I can’t back out now, with her watching. “All right.” I push myself up.
“Come on.” Mack walks with me across the pedestrian area to the place where the Sky Jump ends. And there’s Elizabeth, leaning on the railing, smiling.
“Wow,” she says, “you turned up! That’s more than I thought you’d do.”
“Oh ye of little faith.” My heart’s racing so fast now that I feel faint, but I’m not going to let her know that.
“Hux, why don’t you and Jamie go over to the entrance,” Mack says. “I want to have a quick word with Elizabeth.”
“Okay.” When he first said about her waiting at the bottom, I wasn’t sure that was the right decision, but now I’m glad she’s not going to be there. I’m enough of a guy not to want her to see me cry.
“Chin up,” she says. “You did well just by getting here. I’m proud of you.”
I give her a wry look. “I’ll see you in a few minutes. Vertically.”
She laughs. “Yeah, right. Via the elevator.”
I don’t have a quick comeback. I turn away and let Jamie lead me over to the building, needing every ounce of concentration I own to keep myself in one piece.
*
Elizabeth
I watch Huxley walk off and chuckle. “He’s positively green. Bless him. I meant it though. I’m proud of him for turning up. I was convinced I’d get a call on the way here to say he’d chickened out.”
